Former Star Lehtinen Scores Two, But Tornado Win Pros/Prospects, 8-6
March 20, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Texas Tornado News Release
Former Dallas Stars great Jere Lehtinen scored two goals and earned first star honors, but the young guns of the Texas Tornado ended up on the winning side of the fifth annual Pros vs. Prospects Charity Classic with a 8-6 win Sunday afternoon at the Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco. Tornado forward Mike Fleming had two goals and an assist in the win for Texas.
It didn ¬â¢t take the Pros team long to get on the scoreboard as former Dallas Star Greg Adams lit the lamp as he fired a drive through Tornado goaltender Jake Stafford ¬â¢s blocker side. Assisting on the goal was former Dallas Stars goaltender Ed Belfour, who was playing defense during the game. The Tornado would strike right back as defenseman Tyler Rostenkowski picked off a Pros clearing pass and walked in alone on a breakaway on Pros goaltender Dan Blackburn and put a shot between his legs to tie the game at 1-1. The Tornado scored again to make it 2-1 as JD Howard was hauled down on a breakaway from the left wing, but his shot trickled through Blackburn with assists to Joseph Mottiqua and Pavel Hurtik. The Pros stayed right in the 1st period with another goal, this time from former Dallas Star Landon Wilson, who wristed a shot from inside the blueline that found its way through traffic and beat Stafford blocker side. Assists on the goal went to Adams and Bob Bassen. The Pros outshot the Tornado 17-11 in the period.
The 2nd period was another offensive showcase. The Tornado jumped out to a 3-2 lead as Mike Fleming fired a shot through the defense from the high slot that beat Blackburn over the shoulder with assists to Walker Hyland and Tyler Rostenkowski. Minutes later the Tornado made it 4-2 as on a 2 on 1 Mico Solorzano found Walker Hyland on the backdoor for the goal with another assist to Jimmy Murray. Former Dallas Stars great Jere Lehtinen scored for the Pros to make it 4-3, as he picked up a rebound in front with assists to former Dallas Stars Mike Keane and Bill Huard. Texas made it 5-3 as Ralfs Freibergs was hauled down the ice by former Tornado player Jason Bloomingburg and awarded a penalty shot. Freibergs came in down the right side and sniped a shot over Blackburn for the goal. Texas would increase the lead again as Jackson Leef scored to make it 6-3 with assists to Jack Prince and Joseph Mottiqua. The Pros would not give up however, as they made it 6-4 as the old Tornado combination of Tom Train to Jason Bloomingburg on a 2 on 1 saw Bloomingburg fire a shot past Tornado goaltender Jimmy Kruger. Kruger made a career save on a penalty shot by Jere Lehtinen, but Lehtinen would get his revenge to make the score 6-5 on his second goal of the night as Kruger stopped a shot from the point, but Bill Huard fished the puck out to Lehtinen for the goal.
The 3rd period was more excitement from both teams. Brett Hebel made it 7-5 as he got a pass from Justin Jones and wristed a shot past Blackburn. The Pros struck back with a give-and-go play from Bob Brandon to Bill Huard, who put a shot past an outstretched Kruger. Kruger would keep the Tornado in the game with several key saves in the 3rd period to keep the Tornado in the lead. The Pros would pull their goalie and former Dallas Stars great Ed Belfour had a chance to tie the game with just :25 seconds remaining on a penalty shot, but his chance went wide. With just :12 seconds remaining, Mike Fleming scored his 2nd goal of the night as he sent a shot from in front of his own net all the way down the ice, into the empty goal for a 8-6 Tornado win. The Pros would end up outshooting the Tornado 52-32 in the game.
Three Stars:
1. Jere Lehtinen, Pros (2g)
2. Greg Adams, Pros (1g, 2a)
3. Bill Huard, Pros (1g, 2a)
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